Why is it that so often we see our work for God as something that we do on Sundays, and the rest of the week we just work at our jobs? Is that really what God intended for us to do; to give Him one day a week? I think not!

We as christians, and especially as christian men, need to start thinking of our work for God as priority and focusing on it every day of the week. We get so caught up in our day to day lives, and especially our work, that we forget that we have a mission from God that we are supposed to be working on also.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy spirit, and teaching them to over eve thing I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20

That is a pretty tall order; make disciples of all the nations – WOW! When you really think about that, and the size of that task, how can you possibly hope to accomplish that working on it only one day a week.

If we want to see God work in our lives then we have to do God’s work. If we want to accomplish something in our lives, then let’s work toward accomplishing something with eternally significant outcome.

Please don’t misunderstand me to think that I am preaching some kind of salvation through works, absolutely not! Out salvation, and God’s love for us, is in no way conditional upon us doing anything. Which is a good thing because if it was, we would all be in real trouble!

God wants us to work hard at everything that we do, and to do everything for Him, and for His glory. Not because we have to, but because we want to, because we love Him and want to feel his presence in our lives.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, nor for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the lord as a reward.” Colossians 3:23-24

Don’t sit back and do nothing. Get up and work. Even if the task seems daunting, or you don’t think that you can do it. All you have to do is ask God to back you up and help you, and you can do anything. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 says that if we don’t work we don’t eat. Personally, I really like eating! So I guess I better get up and work!

So go out today and work for God, as hard as you can, everyday. You will see a difference in you life.

One last thought; don’t forget to take a rest! We are commanded to get our work done 6 days a week and to rest on the last day. Heck, even God took a break on the seventh day!

It has been far too long since I posted anything so please bear with me as I work the kinks out!

I feel that there is a strong duplicity in the image of what a man is supposed to be. The picture of a man that we so often see is one of strength, someone who is not afraid to fight, who is not a sissy. On the extreme side the image that comes to mind is that of the ultimate fighting competitors. It seems like the world almost tells you that if you can’t stand in a ring and go toe to toe with someone until one of you is bloody and gives up, you are not a real man.

“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

God does not tell us that we have to be a physical bad ass, but that we must act justly and kindly with love and humility. He does tell us to fight, but not physically (necessarily), spiritually!

“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith.” 1 Tim 3:11-12

We need to fight for God not by knocking people out, but by knocking out their fears and preconceptions of God so that we can help them find salvation. Don’t forget that God will alway fight for you if you are following him faithfully (Ex 14:14, Deut 3:22, Neh 4:20). I’m not saying that if someone was threatening my family I wouldn’t step in physically, but the act of physical fighting and toughness is not what defines us as men. We are defined by our spiritual strength, our mental toughness to stay focused on God in a world that constantly tries to pull us away, and our devotion to God who fights for us every day.

First, I want to appolagize for the lack of post recently. We have been without internet for the last two weeks or so. It is amazing how dependent we become on technology (but that is a topic for another post).

I found the resolution from the movie “Courage”. This is awesome! I encourage any of you men that have a family to print this out and live it! There is a version of this that is commercially available that has a place at the bottom for your signature and the signature of two witnesses. I think that this is an awesome idea, to get with two other men and enter into this resolution together, to keep each other accountable. Enough talk, here you go:

RESOLUTION

I do solemnly resolve before God to take full responsibility for myself, my wife, and my children.

I will love them, protect them, serve them and teach them the word of God as the spiritual leader of my home.

I will be faithful to my wife, to love and honor her, and be willing to lay down my life for her, as Jesus Christ did for me.

I will bless my children and teach them to love God with all of their hearts, all of their minds, and all of their strength.

I will train them to honor authority and live responsibly.

I will confront evil, pursue justice, and love mercy.

I will pray for others and treat them with kindness, respect and compassion.

I will work diligently to provide for the needs of my family.

I will forgive those who have wronged me and reconcile with those I have wronged.

I will learn from my mistakes, repent of my sins, and walk with integrity as a man answerable to God.

I will seek to honor God, be faithful to his Church, obey His word and do His will.

I will courageously work with the strength God provides to fulfill this resolution for the rest of my life for His glory.

The #1 thing that describes a man of God is love. I’m sure you saw this coming, how could you not. Love is everywhere in the Bible. We are told that God is love and that we are made in the image of God, that we are to try to live our life like Jesus (who is God), so how could love not be one of the most important things for a man of God.

I come back to 1 Timothy 6:11 “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” Pursue love. In other words do everything in love. Because if we do everything in love how can you go wrong? (Yes, I realize that statement is not entirely accurate or true but you get the idea)

When Jesus was asked what the most important commandment was he replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ this is the first and greatest commandment. And second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the law and the Prophets and on these two commandments.”

Love with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. God deserves this kind of love because he is God. There is nothing that he hasn’t done or won’t do for the goodness of mankind, including punishing us, because he loves us. We, men of God, should live each day with an awe inspiring view of God and the love that he has for us. We should do everything with love in our hearts. Loving our neighbor, co-worker, friend, family, complete stranger, orphan, widow, everyone just as Christ loved us.

And here is a kicker for you. If you truly love someone would you not want them to know the God that you know, the God that loves them, the God that saves them? How can you love someone and not share the Gospel with them? It is all well and good to say that you love someone, to do everything in love, but what are you doing to show God’s love (and yours) for the people that you interact with? The greatest thing that you can do in love is to share the gospel!

I have mentioned it a few times now, prayer. Ephesians 6:18 and 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tell us to pray about everything, all the time, in all situations (heck, Jonah prayed while inside a fish!). It doesn’t matter that you don’t have all the fancy lingo, or that you don’t pray in a specific format; there are no rules! Just pray.

Jesus did give us some guidelines for our prayer in Mathew 6:5-13. These are not rules about how and what to pray but rather he is showing us what the true purpose of prayer is. He says not to pray to be seen by men (6:5). The purpose of prayer is not to prove that you are a christian or to exalt yourself as a prayerful man. Prayer is to talk to God. To worship God. To thank God for all that he has done for you and to ask for guidance and help in your life. Jesus tell us to pray in secret (6:6) so that it is just between you and God, your family and God, or a body of worshippers and God. Prayer is not to be a public spectacle.

And don’t think that a prayer has to be drawn out and long to be good – no babbling! (6:7) The best prayer is the one that is from the heart. It could be as simple as “Thank you God!”. I often get caught in the thought that what I have to say to God is not important enough to bother him with. Wrong! God wants to hear our prayers. Jesus died so that we would be able to have that direct line of communication with God. If you don’t know what to pray just start talking to God. Remember, this whole christian “thing” is about a relationship with God. When you are in a relationship with someone you talk to them right?

Pray with your families. Husbands, pray with your wives. One of the best ways to ensure a lasting and strong marriage is to pray together. Fathers, pray with your kids. What better way to show them that God is an integral part of your family’s life than to pray all the time and about all things.

Faithful: steadfast in affliction or allegiance; firm in adherence to promises or in observance of duty.

Men of God are faithful. First and foremost, faithful to God. We should be steadfast in our allegiance to God. God is faithful to us, no matter what, even though we don’t deserve it. How much more does God deserve our faithfulness.

Men of God are faithful in prayer. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 We should be firm in our daily prayers. Pray for everything, don’t ask for everything, pray. When you have a decision to make, pray. When you are feeling down, sick, stagnant; pray. When you are driving, eating, or doing anything that doesn’t require your full attention; pray. “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers.” Ephesians 6:18 “Pray continually” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Men of God are faithful to their wives and families. God has made you the head of your family, act like it. Be steadfast in you allegiance to your family and firm in observance of your duty to them. Be faithful to your wives, don’t go looking for someone else and don’t let problems go unresolved, talk (I know that is hard for some of us guys, but just do it!). Be faithful to your children. They need a father who is strong, who will show them the way to live.

Be faithful out there men. Don’t get distracted by something else that is easy or appealing, but stay strong and faithful to following God, praying in all things, and to your family.